Colwell George 1892

George Colwell

1892-1975

Father Nm: Richard Colwell 1852–1879 • Uxbridge, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada
DEATH 3 DECEMBER 1879 • Uxbridge, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada

Mother Nm: Dora R Suter 1855–1943 • Beaverton, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada
DEATH 13 JUNE 1943 • Whitby, Ontario, Ontario, Canada

Marriage Dt:3 Aug 1922 • Ontario, Ontario, Canada

K comments: Brother William also served with the 116th Bn. in WW1 and like George was wounded

Spouse comments: Althen Montgomery 1895–1960

(Research): Ontario Births, 1869-1912

Oldest Known Ancestor;

Birth

5 January 1892 Uxbridge.

Before the War

1901 Census

1911 Census

Uxbridge.
George Burnham Head M 44 Ontario
Sarah Burnham Wife F 42 Ontario
Mary Burnham Daughter F 20 Ontario
Roma Burnham Daughter F 17 Ontario
Masse Burnham Daughter F 15 Ontario
George Colwell Lodger M 19 Ontario

WW1

Colwell George, 746282, 116th Bn. Private

Synopsis

George Colwell six years younger than his brother William was to have almost parallel experiences in WW1. They both signed up on the same day in August 1915. Both sailed for England with the local 116th Bn. under Colonel Sharpe. Both survived Vimy but within one day in August while the battalion was in the Lens front line both were hit by shells. George the first to be wounded in the back was taken away for treatment and the next day William hit in the arm. Both were invalided to England and wounds so severe they were not to return to the front for the rest of the war.

1915

11th August. Enlisted at Uxbridge, occupation Farmer.

1916

21st July Embarked with 116th Bn. for England arrived 31st July, Liverpool.

Note: The 116th In France and war diaries give the detail of the Battalions activities unless there is a specific event for our man then the battle honours and dates are listed only.

1917

11th February. Landed France.
April. Vimy. Reserve at the battle and then front line trench operations in the sector. Casualties April 10; May 5; June 7
July Vimy Sector. Raid on 23rd at Avion. Casualties 35.
22nd August. Hill 70. On the 22nd Aug. the 116th Bn were ordered to relieve the 27th Bn. in Chicory trench and for next 5 days sustained frequent bombardments and took casualties each day. Total casualties for the period 11 men killed and 51 wounded.
24th August. Wounded. GSW Left side Buttock and Back. In the line at Lens – Chicory Trench when shelled.
Chicory Trench where George was Wounded
War diary entry “During the day hostile artillery very quiet. From 6:60 to 7:30 p.m. and from 10:00
to 11:00 p.m. hostile shelling was very active all along out front. Casualties: 7 other
ranks killed, 25 other ranks wounded “
24th-27th August. Casualty Clearing Station No1
30th August transported by Hospital Barge 140 to No 35 General Hospital at Calais
Hospital Barge was a common way to ship wounded to the Hospitals that were most on the coast and near waterways.
2nd -9th September. No 35 General Hospital Calais.
9th September. Discharged and invalided to England.
Posted to 2nd central Ontario Regiment Depot. at Shornecliffe.

1918

Spent all year in Reserve in England.

1919

11th March. TOS Toronto No 2 District Depot Toronto.
17th May. Discharged

Medals

Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal plus given a Class A badge to be worn on civilian clothes to indicate to employers etc that he served at the front in the war

He was also entitled to wear wound stripes on his uniform

Sources

Death 1975

Name George Colwell
Event Type Burial
Event Date 1975
Event Place Uxbridge, Durham Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada
Photograph Included N
Birth Date 05 Jan 1892
Death Date 1975
Affiliate Record Identifier 75800988
Cemetery Foster Memorial Cemetery